th trembling hands, I sifted t

as I looked up at him. "

love

pictures onto the des

wn disbelief. The images of Zade with another woman were etched i

tten yourself into, my friend

e, filled with hurt and anger, dem

he bar before dropping his gaze. "It would be better to

e desk. Surprise filled Randy's eyes as I

eyes with him. "So you had better start talking. Now, which part of this s

t have been blackmailing him. Th

led. "

. I called it to tell him we were going to press cha

ank. "Embe

ver at covering his tracks. But this week, finally, our

belief. No way. It couldn't be. This was not the Zade I knew. Zade was the most honest

siness partner," I babbled. "H

d forget it, but I guess he doesn't have that kind of money, so he pretended to be offended and stormed out. I have to be ho

struggling to process w

ked up one of the pictures, shook his hea

hing more than a common thief, I wanted to wipe away that look of disgust from Randy

o much for me to take in at once. I had been so sure he was the one. From the moment I had seen him at that bar two years ago, I had felt an instant connection to him. I had felt him to my core as my

. I saw our children, our grandchildren. And now to find

as my heart came to grips with t

esk and placed them back into the file, slipping only one out and into my p

uld you take me back

his is so messed up. I never w

your fault. Thank you for

gh. God, I wish I'd never

traight to the elevator. He followed me out and stood next to me. He said nothing.

ut of my mind. The last few weeks especially showed me the signs had been there, but I had not paid atten

o Randy once more as he

ou sure you can drive? Do you want

ead. "No. I'

anks again for everything, Randy. You've been a great

call me if y

rse. Ta

art. By the time I reached my apartment, I was sobbing my heart out. I recognized that I would need to find a way to mend my shattered heart

of the week in a daze. Th

from trying

had given me. As soon as the milky beads touched the water, I was filled with

who was gone f